Two games into Tennessee’s 2025–26 campaign, sophomore guard Bishop Boswell has emerged as one of the Volunteers’ most consistent tone-setters.
Following Saturday night’s victory, it’s clear he’s backing up a strong offseason with impactful early-season production on both ends of the floor.
Boswell earned his first career start in Monday’s season opener against Mercer.
He remained in the starting lineup Saturday against Northern Kentucky. His defensive intensity and efficient shooting helped spark No. 18 Tennessee to a 95–56 win.
“I thought Bishop did a really good job. I thought he was again locked in defensively,” head coach Rick Barnes said. “He worked so hard at shooting. Great to see that go in for him, which is huge.”
Boswell logged a career-high 22 minutes against NKU.
“He would have played more in the second half, but he got his foot stepped on and we just felt like we didn’t need to do it,” Barnes said.
Defense has been Boswell’s anchor since arriving in Knoxville, and Barnes said the sophomore’s growth is trending upward.
“His defense. Bishop plays so hard, and I’ve told him, now he’s got to get smarter with it,” Barnes said. “Sometimes he’ll get overly aggressive… but he’s tough, you know, he works at it. He knows that’s a role we need him to play.”
His defensive progression arrives at a critical time for the Volunteers. The Vols lost two of the nation’s best defenders from last season.
Jahmai Mashack and Zakai Zeigler anchored Tennessee’s defense for years before both moved on to professional careers. Boswell, who played alongside the duo, is now applying what he learned.
“He’s been as consistent on that end as anyone this year,” Barnes said. “He’s got a chance to become even more elite on that end of the court.”
Teammates have noticed his impact as well.
“He brings the most energy on the court, I feel like, for our team,” guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie said. “He’s always either getting a rebound, getting a steal, and if he’s knocking down threes too… I feel like he’s a big part of our team.”
Boswell delivered one of the best all-around performances of his career in his first start against Mercer on Nov. 3, posting career highs in points (five), rebounds (eight) and minutes (17), while recording his first made 3-pointer and first block.
He followed it with another efficient outing against Northern Kentucky.
He played a new career-best 22 minutes, going 2-for-3 from 3-point range, grabbing five defensive rebounds and adding a steal.
Sophomore forward JP Estrella said Boswell’s confidence and preparation have elevated Tennessee’s lineup.
“Me and Bishop have been super close since he’s gotten here. That’s my guy,” Estrella said after the win over Mercer.
“Any chance he has to shoot it, I’m going to tell him to shoot it every single time. He’s a great shooter and it benefits us as a team when he’s getting wide open shots and knocking them down,” Estrella added. “Anytime he has an opportunity, we’re going to give him the ball every single time.”
With his combination of defensive toughness, rebounding and improved shooting, Boswell has cemented himself as an early-season difference-maker.
As Tennessee continues its nonconference slate, the sophomore’s evolving role appears poised to expand even further.
